Glossary – Supply Chain Acronyms – 2nd Edition

Supply Chain Management practitioners are famous for using acronyms. In an effort to demystify our language, Supply Chain Almanac has developed the following Glossary. It contains over 600 abbreviations that are relevant to those who work in and around the Supply Chain.

This is our Second Edition, new and revised with dozens of new acronyms added since our first version published in May 2012.

If our readers have any comments or additions to suggest, please see our contact page and send a note to us. We will be happy to consider your submissions. We hope that this glossary will be useful to you, and that you will return occasionally.

An effort has been made to identify the primary “source” of each abbreviation. Of course, these abbreviations often cross functional borders: A/P, for example, is predominantly an Accounting term, but is used ubiquitously in Operations, Logistics, Management, and Commerce.

Here is a hint to help search: The acronyms are in alphabetical order. But if you want to jump quickly to an acronym, press the “CTRL” key and the “F” key simultaneously on your keyboard. You should see a little pop-up box appear into which you can type your acronym. You will be taken directly to where you want to go!

Acronym

Definition

Source

3BL

Triple Bottom Line

Green

3PL

Third Party Logistics

Logistics

3 R’s

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Green

4 P’s

Product, Price, Placement, Promotion

Marketing

4G

Fourth Generation of Cellular Wireless Standards

Marketing

4 R’s

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover

Green

5S

Sort, Simplify, Scrub, Standardize, and Sustain (Japan,Toyota)

Operations

5 W’s

Asking “Why” Five Times

Operations

80/20

Pareto Analysis, The 80/20 Rule, ABC Contribution Analysis

Operations

A/P

Accounts Payable

Accounting

A/R

Accounts Receivable

Accounting

AAFA

American Apparel and Footwear Association

Associations

AAR

Association of American Railroads

Logistics

ABB

Activity-Based Budgeting

Operations

ABC

Pareto or 80/20 Analysis / Contribution Analysis

Quality

ABC

Activity-Based Costing

Accounting

ABM

Activity-Based Management

Management

ABP

Activity-Based Planning

Management

ADC

Automated Data Collection

Information Technology

ADR

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Management

AEO

Authorized Economic Operator Program (EU)

Operations

AES

Automated Export System (USA)

Logistics

AGVS

Automated Guided Vehicle System

Logistics

AI

Artificial Intelligence

Information Technology

AIAC

Aerospace Industries Association ofCanada

Associations

AIDC

Automatic Identification and Data Capture

Operations

AME

Association of Manufacturing Excellence

Associations

ANOVA

Analysis of Variance (Statistics)

Operations

ANSI

American National Standards Institute

Agencies

AOA

Activity-on-arrow-network

Operations

AON

Activity-on-node-network

Operations

AOQ

Average Outgoing Quality

Operations

AP

Accounts Payable

Accounting

API

American Petroleum Institute

Associations

APICS

American Production and Inventory Control Society (The Association for Operations Management)

Associations

APMA

Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association ofCanada

Associations

APP

Aggregate Production Plan

Operations

APS

Advanced Planning and Scheduling

Operations

AQL

Acceptable Quality Level

Operations

AR

Accounts Receivable

Accounting

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange

Information Technology

AS/RS

Automated Storage and Retrieval System

Logistics

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

International Trade

ASN

Advance Shipment Notification

Logistics

ASP

Application Service Provider

Information Technology

ASQ

American Society for Quality

Agencies

AST&L

American Society of Transportation & Logistics

Associations

ATAC

Air Transport Association ofCanada

Associations

ATO

Assemble to Order

Operations

ATP

Available to Promise

Operations

AU

AfricanUnion

International Trade

AWB

Airway Bill of Lading or Air Waybill

Logistics

B/L

Bill of Lading

Logistics

B2B

Business to Business

Commerce

B2C

Business to Consumer

Commerce

B7

Seven Basic Tools of Quality

Operations

BESt

Building Environmental Standards (with BOMA)

Green

BEST

Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BC)

Green

BI

Business Intelligence

Commerce

BIP

Border Inspection Post (UK)

International Trade

BLP

Bonded Logistics Parks

Logistics

BOK

Body of Knowledge

Management

BOM

Bill of Material

Operations

BOMA

Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (see also BESt)

Green

BPM

Business Process Management

Management

BPR

Business Process Reengineering

Management

BRIC

Brazil,Russia,India,ChinaEconomics

International Trade

BSC

Balanced Scorecard

Management

BVP

British Visitor Permit (UK)

International Trade

CA

Chartered Accountant

Professional Designation

CAD

Computer Aided Design

Logistics

CAE

Computer Aided Engineering

Operations

CAFTA

Central American Free Trade Agreement

International Trade

CAID

Computer Aided Inspection and Test

Operations

CAM

Computer Aided Manufacturing

Operations

CAPIC

Canadian Association for Production and Inventory Control (obsolete – now APICS)

Associations

CARAC

Canadian Aviation Regulations Advisory Council

Associations

CARICOM

CaribbeanCommunity

International Trade

CASE

Computer Assisted Software Engineering

Information Technology

CAW

Canadian Auto WorkersUnion

Associations

CBP

Customs and Border Protection (USA)

International Trade

CBSA

Canadian Border Services Agency

International Trade

CCR

Capacity Constrained Resource

Operations

CCS

Carbon Capture and Storage

Green

CDW

Customer Data Warehouse

Information Technology

CDDP

Certified Demand Driven Planner (ISCEA Certification)

Professional Designation

CE

Concurrent Engineering

Operations

CED

Common Entry Document (UK)

International Trade

CEFTA

Central European Free Trade Agreement

International Trade

CEO

Chief Executive Officer

Management

CEP

Cost Equalization Point

Operations

CETA

Canadian-European Comprehensive Economics and Trade Agreement

International Trade

CFO

Chief Financial Officer

Management

CFPIM

Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management

Professional Certification

CFA

Certified Financial Analyst

Professional Designation

CFR

Cost and Freight (Incoterms)

International Trade

CGA

Certified General Accountant

Professional Designation

CGBC

CanadianGreenBuildingCouncil

Green

CI

Continuous Improvement

Operations

CIF

Cost Including Freight (Incoterms)

International Trade

CIO

Chief Information Officer

Management

CIP

Carriage and Insurance Paid (Incoterms)

International Trade

CIRM

Certified in Integrated Resource Management (APICS)

Professional Designation

CISG

Contracts for the InternationalSaleof Goods

International Trade

CITA

Canadian Industrial Transportation Association

Associations

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (of the United Nations Environment Program)

International Trade

CITT

Canadian Institute for Traffic and Transportation

Professional Designation

CL

Car Load

Logistics

CMA

Certified Managerial Accountant

Professional Designation

COD

Cash On Delivery

Accounting

COFC

Container on a Flat Car

Logistics

COO

Chief Operating Officer

Management

COGS

Cost of Goods Sold

Accounting

COTD

Complete and On Time Delivery

Logistics

CPA

Certified Public Accountant

Professional Designation

CPC

Canadian Pallet Council

Logistics

CPC

Collaborative Product Commerce

Commerce

CPFR

Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment

Operations

CPI

Consumer Price Index

Commerce

CPI

Continuous Process Improvement

Operations

CPIM

Certified in Production and Inventory Management (APICS)

Professional Designation

CPM

Critical Path Method (Project Management)

Operations

CPM

Certified Purchasing Manager (ISM – now in re-certification only status, replaced by CPSM)

Professional Designation

CPO

Chief Procurement Officer

Management

CPOF

Capacity Planning Using Overall Factors

Operations

CPP

Certified Purchasing Professional (Canada)

Professional Designation

CPP

Collaboration Protocol Profile

Information Technology

CPSM

Certified Professional in Supply Management (ISM Designation)

Professional Designation

CPT

Carriage Paid To (Incoterms)

International Trade

CPU

Central Processing Unit

Information Technology

CR

Continuous Replenishment

Operations

CRM

Customer Relationship Management

Operations

CRM

Central Receiving and Marking

Logistics

CRP

Capacity Requirements Planning

Operations

CSCP

Certified Supply Chain Professional (APICS)

Professional Designation

CSR

Customer Service Representative

Operations

CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility

Sustainability

CSCMP

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

Associations

CSCMP

Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (OI PMAC –Canada)

Professional Designation

CSCSC

Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council

Associations

CTM

Collaborative Transportation Management

Logistics

CTP

Capable to Promise

Operations

C-TPAT

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (USA)

International Trade

CTQ

Critical to Quality

Operations

CTX

Consortia Trade Exchanges

Commerce

CVD

Coefficient Variation of Demand

Operations

CVED

Common Veterinary Entry Document (UK)

International Trade

CWT

Abbreviation for “Hundredweight”

Logistics

DAF

Delivered at Frontier (Incoterms)

International Trade

DAP

Delivered at Place (Incoterms)

International Trade

DAT

Delivered at Place (Incoterms)

International Trade

DBMS

Data Base Management System

Information Technology

DBR

Drum-Buffer-Rope

Operations

DC

DistributionCenter

Logistics

DDI

Demand Driven Institute

Operations

DDMRP

Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning

Operations

DDP

Delivered Duty Paid (Incoterms)

International Trade

DDP

Distributed Data Processing

Information Technology

DDU

Delivered Duty Unpaid (Incoterms)

International Trade

DEQ

Delivered ex. Quay (Incoterms)

International Trade

DES

Delivered ex. Ship (Incoterms)

International Trade

DFA

Design for Assembly

Operations

DFE

Design for Environment

Operations

DFL

Design for Logistics

Operations

DFM

Design for Manufacturing

Operations

DFMA

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly

Operations

DFX

Design for Everything

Operations

DG

Dangerous Goods

Logistics

DHS

Department of Homeland Security

International Trade

DI

Distributor Integration

Logistics

DMADV

Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Verify (Six Sigma)

Operations

DMAIC

Design, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (Six Sigma)

Operations

DNS

Domain Name Service

Information Technology

DOD

Department of Defence (USA)

International Trade

DOE

Design of Experiments

Operations

DOS

Disc Operating System

Information Technology

DOT

Department of Transportation (USA)

Agencies

DRP

Distribution Requirements Planning

Operations

DRP II

Distribution Resource Planning

Operations

DSD

Direct to Store Delivery

Logistics

DSS

Decision Support System

Information Technology

DTF

Demand Time Fence

Operations

DTO

Design to Order

Operations

EAI

EnterpriseApplication Integration

Information Technology

EAN

European Article Numbering

Operations

EAP

Employee Assistance Program

Management

EBITDA

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization

Accounting

ECR

Efficient Consumer Response

Operations

ECS

Export Control System

International Trade

EDI

Electronic Data Interchange

Information Technology

EDIFACT

EDI for Administration Commerce and Transport (UN)

International Trade

EDLP

Every Day Low Prices (Retail)

Management

EDT

Electronic Data Transfer

Information Technology

EEC

European Economic Community

International Trade

EEI

Electronic Export Information

Information Technology

EF

Early Finish Date (Project Management)

Operations

EFP

ExportFirearmsPass(UK)

International Trade

EFT

Electronic Funds Transfer

Information Technology

EFTA

European Free Trade Association

International Trade

EHS

Environment, Health and Safety (USA)

Agencies

EI

Employee Involvement

Management

EI

Employment Insurance (Canada)

Management

EIPP

Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment

Accounting

EMA

EnterpriseMarketing Automation

Information Technology

EMS

Environmental Management System

Green

EMS

Emergency Medical Services

Operations

EOBR

Electronic On Board Recorder

Logistics

EOQ

Economic Order Quantity

Operations

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency (USA)

Agencies

EPC

Electronic Product Code

Operations

EPQ

Economic Production Quantity

Operations

EPC

Electronic Product Code

Operations

EPZ

Export Processing Zone

International Trade

ERM

EnterpriseResource Management

Operations

ERP

EnterpriseResource Planning

Operations

ES

Early Start Date (Project Management)

Operations

ESI

Early Supplier Involvement

Operations

ETC

Export Trading Company

International Trade

ETO

Engineer to Order

Operations

EU

European Union

International Trade

EurAsEC

Eurasian Economic Community

International Trade

EVP

Employee Value Proposition

Management

EVP

Executive Vice President

Management

EXW

Ex Works (Incoterms)

International Trade

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration (USA)

Agencies

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Management

FAS

Free Alongside Ship (Incoterms)

International Trade

FAS

Final Assembly Scheduling

Operations

FCA

Free Carrier (Incoterms)

International Trade

FDA

Food and Drug Administration (USA)

Agencies

FEDEX

Federal Express (Courier)

Logistics

FEFO

First Expiry First Out

Logistics

FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency (USA)

Agencies

FEU

Forty-foot Equivalent Unit

Logistics

FG

Finished Goods

Operations

FIATA

International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations

International Trade

FIFO

First In, First Out

Logistics

FLSA

Fair Labour Standards Act (USA)

Operations

FMA

Failure Mode Analysis

Operations

FMC

Flexible Machine Centre

Operations

FMEA

Failure Mode Effects Analysis

Operations

FMECA

Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis

Operations

FMS

Flexible Manufacturing System

Operations

FOB

Free On Board (Incoterms)

Logistics

FOQ

Fixed Order Quantity

Operations

FPO

Firm Planned Order

Operations

FRS

Flexible Robotic Sortation

Operations

FRT

Future Reality Tree

Management

FSA

Food Standards Agency (UK)

International Trade

FTC

Federal Trade Commission (USA)

Agencies

FTO

Finish to Order

Operations

FTP

File Transfer Protocol

Information Technology

FTZ

Free Trade Zone

International Trade

FTZ

Foreign Trade Zone (USA)

International Trade

G&A

General and Administrative Expenses

Accounting

GAAP

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Accounting

GACAG

Global Air Cargo Advisory Group

Logistics

GAMP

Generally Accepted Manufacturing Practices

Operations

GATT

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

International Trade

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

Commerce

GDSS

Group Decision Support System

Management

GERT

Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique

Management

GHG

Greenhouse Gas (Emissions)

Green

GIPPER

Governments Incorporating Procurement Policies to Eliminate Refuse

Green

GL

General Ledger

Accounting

GM

Gross Margin

Accounting

GMROI

Gross Margin Return on Investment

Accounting

GMROII

Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment

Accounting

GMROII

Gross Margin Return on Initial Investment

Accounting

GNP

Gross National Product

Management

GP

Gross Profit

Accounting

GPS

Global Positioning System

Logistics

GRI

Global Reporting Initiative

Logistics

GSCF

Global Supply Chain Forum

International Trade

GSCM

Green Supply Chain Management

Green

GSF

Global Shippers’ Forum

International Trade

GST

Goods and Services Tax (Canada)

Commerce

GT

Group Technology

Operations

GUI

Graphical User Interface

Information Technology

HAZMAT

Hazardous Materials

Logistics

HLL

High Level Language

Information Technology

HMRC

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (UK)

International Trade

HOQ

House of Quality

Operations

HOS

Hours of Service (Automated)

Management

HR

Human Resources

Management

HRPAO

Human Resources Professionals Association ofOntario(Canada)

Management

HSC

Health & Safety Commission (UK)

Agencies

HST

Harmonized Sales Tax (Canada)

Commerce

HTML

Hypertext Mark-up Language

Information Technology

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

Information Technology

HVAC

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

Logistics

IaaS

Infrastructure as a Service

Information Technology

IATA

International Air Traffic Authority

Logistics

IATA

International Air Transport Association

Logistics

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization

Logistics

ICC

International Chamber of Commerce

Agencies

ICC

Interstate Commerce Commission

Agencies

ICE

Internal Combustion Engine

Logistics

ICS

Import Control System (UK)

International Trade

IDC

Inventory Driven Metrics

Operations

IFB

Invitation for Bid

Operations

IFPSM

International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management

Associations

IIE

InstituteofIndustrial Engineers(USA)

Associations

ILO

International Labour Organization (UN)

Agencies

IMDG

International Maritime Dangerous Goods

Logistics

IMS

Inventory Management System

Operations

Incoterms

International Commercial Terms

International Trade

I/O

Input / Output Control

Operations

IPO

Initial Public Offering

Commerce

IS

Information Systems

Information Technology

ISCEA

International Supply Chain EducationAlliance

Associations

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network

Information Technology

ISM

Institute for Supply Management

Associations

ITA

Industrial Truck Association

Associations

IWLA

International Warehouse and Logistics Organization

Associations

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

Agencies

ISO14001

Generic Environmental Management System Standard (ISO)

Operations

ISO18000-6

IT Interface for RFID Devices (ISO)

Operations

ISO2600:2010

Guidance on Social Responsibility (ISO)

Operations

ISO31000

Guidance on Risk Management (ISO)

Operations

ISO9001

Generic Quality Management System Standard (ISO)

Operations

ISO Guide 73:2009

Generic Term Related to Risk Management System (ISO)

Operations

ISOPAS17712

Uniform Procedure for the Classification, Acceptance and Withdrawal of Acceptance of Mechanical Freight Container Seals

Operations

ISP

Internet Service Provider

Information Technology

ISPM 15

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (EU)

International Trade

ISPS

International Ship and Port Security

International Trade

IT

Information Technology

Information Technology

ITAHC

Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificate (UK)

International Trade

ITF

International Transport Forum

Logistics

ITT

Invitations to Tender

Operations

ITX

Independent Public Trade Exchange

Commerce

IVR

Industrial Virtual Reality

Information Technology

J&A

Justification and Approval to Limit Competition (USA)

Commerce

JIT

Just In Time

Operations

JSA

Joint Service Agreement

Commerce

JV

Joint Venture

Commerce

JV

Journal Voucher

Accounting

K

One Thousand

Logistics

Kg

Kilograms

Logistics

KM

Knowledge Management

Management

Km

Kilometres

Logistics

KPI

Key Performance Indicator

Management

L

Lead Time Duration

Logistics

LAN

Local Area Network

Logistics

L/C

Letter of Credit

Commerce

LCL

Less than Container Load

Logistics

LCL

Lower Control Limit (Statistical Process Control)

Operations

LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Green

LEZ

Low Emission Zone

Logistics

LFD

Late Finish Date (Project Management)

Management

LIFO

Last in, First Out

Logistics

LIMIT

LotSize Inventory Management Interpolation Technique

Operations

LMS

Labour Management System

Operations

LSL

Lower Specification Limit

Operations

LTL

Less than Truckload

Logistics

LTPD

Lot Tolerance Percent Defective

Operations

MAD

Mean Absolute Deviation (Statistics)

Operations

MAPE

Mean Absolute Percentage Error (Statistics)

Operations

MAPI

ManufacturersAlliancefor Productivity and Innovation (USA)

Associations

MBO

Management By Objectives

Management

MBI

Modular Building Institute (Canada)

Associations

MES

Manufacturing Execution System

Operations

MHRA

Medicines and Health Care Regulatory Agency (UK)

Agencies

MIS

Management Information System

Information Technology

MM&D

Materials Management & Distribution Magazine (Canada)

Logistics

MNC

Multinational Corporation

Commerce

MPC

Manufacturing Planning and Control System

Operations

MPS

Master Production Schedule

Operations

MPW

Mobile Powered Workstation

Logistics

MRO

Maintenance, Repair and Operating Supplies

Operations

MRP

Materials Requirements Planning

Operations

MRPII

Manufacturing Resources Planning

Operations

MS

Master Scheduling

Operations

MSSC

Manufacturing Skills Standards Council

Agencies

MSE

Mean Square Error (Statistics)

Operations

MTBF

Mean Time Between Failures

Operations

MTO

Make to Order

Operations

MTS

Make to Stock

Operations

MTTR

Mean Time To Repair

Operations

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement

International Trade

NAPM

National Association of Purchasing Managers (USA) – see ISM

Associations

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)

Associations

NAV

Net Asset Value

Accounting

NAV

Navigation

Logistics

NAVCAN

NavigationCanada(Canada)

Agencies

NES

National Export System (UK)

International Trade

NGO

Non-governmental Organization

Logistics

NLP

Next Level Purchasing (USAand Global)

Associations

NOPAT

Net Operating Profit After Taxes

Accounting

NRC

National Research Council (Canada)

Agencies

NVOCC

Non-vessel Operating Common Carrier

Logistics

OCR

Optical Character Recognition

Operations

OD

Organizational Development

Management

ODD

(Earliest) Operation Due Date

Operations

OECD

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

Agencies

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer

Operations

OHS

Occupational Health and Safety (Canada)

Operations

OIPMAC

Ontario Institute Purchasing Management Association ofCanada

Associations

OJT

On The Job Training

Management

OLAP

On Line Analytical Processing

Information Technology

OLTP

On Line Transactional Processing

Information Technology

ONS

On Line Naming System

Information Technology

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

International Trade

OS

Operating System

Information Technology

OS&D

Over, Short and Damaged

Logistics

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (USA)

Agencies

OSRA

Ocean Shipping Reform Act (USA)

Logistics

OTB

Open to Buy

Operations

OTED

One Touch Exchange of Die

Operations

OTIF

On Time In Full

Operations

P2P

Peer to Peer

Operations

P&L

Profit and Loss

Accounting

PaaS

Platform as a Service

Information Technology

PAB

Projected Available Balance

Operations

PAC

Production Activity Control

Operations

PARS

Pre-Arrival Review System (Canada)

International Trade

PAS

Publicly Available Specifications

Operations

PC

Personal Computer

Information Technology

PCDM

Product Content Data Management

Operations

PDA

Personal Digital Assistant

Information Technology

PDCA

Plan Do Check Act (Quality Management)

Operations

PDM

Product Data Management

Operations

PERT

Program Evaluation and Review Technique

Operations

PETS

Pet Travel Scheme (UK)

International Trade

PIF

PacificIslandsForum

International Trade

PIP

Partners in Protection (Canada)

International Trade

PLC

Product Life Cycle

Operations

PLog

Professional in Logistics (Canada)

Professional Accreditation

PMAC

Purchasing Management Association ofCanada

Associations

PMI

Purchasing Managers Index

Operations

PO

Purchase Order

Operations

POP

Point of Purchase

Operations

POS

Point of Sale

Operations

PPB

Part Period Balancing

Operations

PRT

Pre Requisite Tree

Operations

PTF

Planning Time Fence

Operations

PTP

Profitable to Promise

Operations

QA

Quality Assurance

Operations

QA

Quality Agreement

Operations

QC

Quality Control

Operations

QCD

Quality Cost Deployment

Operations

QFD

Quality Function Deployment

Operations

QOS

Quality of Service

Operations

QR

Quick Response

Operations

QRP

Quick Response Program

Operations

R&D

Research and Development

Operations

RAM

Random Access Memory

Information Technology

RCC

Retail Council ofCanada

Associations

RCCP

Rough Cut Capacity Planning

Operations

RDT

Radio Data Terminal

Information Technology

REVLOG

Reverse Logistics

Logistics

RF

Radio Frequency

Logistics

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification

Logistics

RFP

Request for Proposal

Operations

RFQ

Request for Quotation

Operations

RMA

Return Material Authorization

Operations

ROA

Return on Assets

Accounting

ROE

Return on Owners Equity

Accounting

RoHS

Restrictions on Hazardous Substances

Logistics

ROI

Return on Investment

Accounting

ROII

Return on Inventory Investment

Accounting

ROII

Return on Initial Investment

Accounting

ROIC

Return on Invested Capital

Accounting

ROMI

Return on Marketing Investment

Accounting

RP

Resource Planning

Operations

S&OP

Sales and Operations Planning

Management

S&P

Standard and Poors

Commerce

S&T

Science and Technology Directorate

Agencies

SA 8000

International Standard for Social Accountability

Operations

Saas

Software as a Service

Information Technology

SAM

Sustainable Asset Management

Green

SAP

Systems Analysis and Product (ERP Software Brand)

Information Technology

SBQ

Standard Batch Quality

Operations

SBT

Scan-Based Trading

Commerce

SBU

Strategic Business Unit

Management

SC

Supply Chain

Operations

SCC

Supply Chain Council

Associations

SCEM

Supply Chain Event Management

Operations

SCES

Supply Chain Execution System

Operations

SCL

Supply Chain and Logistics Association ofCanada

Associations

SCM

Supply Chain Management

Operations

SCMC

Supply Chain Management Costs

Operations

SCMLP

Strategic Supply Chain Management Leadership Program (PMACCanada)

Professional Accreditation

SCMP

Supply Chain Management Professional (PMACCanada)

Professional Accreditation

SCP

Supply Chain Planning

Operations

SCPM

Supply Chain Process Management

Operations

SCRM

Supply Chain Risk Management

Operations

SCOR

Supply Chain Operations Reference Model

Operations

SCV

Supply Chain Visibility

Operations

SD

Standard Deviation (Statistics)

Operations

SDLC

Systems Development Life Cycle

Information Technology

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission (USA)

Commerce

SED

Shippers Export Declaration

International Trade

SET

Secure Electronic Transaction

Information Technology

SF

Safety Factor

Operations

SFA

Sales Force Automation

Management

SG&A

Selling, General, and Administrative (Expenses)

Accounting

SIOP

Sales Inventory and Operations Planning

Management

SIPOC

Supplier Input Process Output Customer Diagram

Operations

SKU

Stock Keeping Unit

Operations

SME

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Management

SMED

Single Minute Exchange of Dies

Operations

SOA

Service Oriented Architecture

Operations

SOAP

Simple Object Access Protocol

Information Technology

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure

Management

SOX

Sarbanes Oxley Act (USA)

Management

SPC

Statistical Process Control (Quality)

Operations

SPRS

Supplier Performance Rating System

Operations

SPSM

Senior Professional in Supply Management (NLP Designation)

Professional Accreditation

SQL

Structured Query Language

Information Technology

SRM

Supplier Relationship Management

Operations

SS

Safety Stock

Operations

SSCMLP

Strategic Supply Chain Management Leadership Program (Canada– PMAC)

Associations

STB

Surface Transportation Board (USA)

Agencies

STP

Secure Trade Partnership (Singapore)

International Trade

SV

Schedule Variance

Operations

SWOT

Strengths, Weaknesses Opportunities, Threats

Management

T

Time (interval between periods)

Operations

TBL

Triple Bottom Line

Green

TCO

Total Cost of Ownership

Accounting

T&E

Travel and Entertainment (Expense)

Accounting

TEU

Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (Intermodal Shipping Container)

Logistics

TIACA

The International Air Cargo Association

Logistics

TL

Truck Load (or Trailer Load)

Logistics

TMS

Transportation Management System

Logistics

TPP

Trans Pacific Pact

International Trade

TOC

Theory of Constraints (Eli Goldratt)

Operations

TOFC

Trailer on Flat Car

Logistics

TPM

Total Productive Maintenance

Operations

TPOP

Time Phased Order Point

Operations

TPS

Total Production System (Japan)

Operations

TQE

Total Quality Engineering

Operations

TQM

Total Quality Management

Operations

TS

Tracking Signal

Operations

TSCMC

Total Supply Chain Management Costs

Accounting

UAW

United Auto Workers Union (USA)

Associations

UCC

Uniform Code Council

Associations

UCL

Upper Control Limit (Statistical Process Control)

Operations

UDE

Undesirable Effect

Management

UKBA

United Kingdom Border Agency (UK)

International Trade

UN

United Nations

International Trade

UNASUR

Unionof South American Nations

International Trade

UNGC

United Nations Global Compact

International Trade

UNRTDG

United Nations Recommendations on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods

A Glossary of Supply Chain AcronymsSupply Chain Management practitioners are famous for using acronyms. In an effort to demystify our language, Supply Chain Almanac has developed the following Glossary. It...

A seasoned supply chain and logistics management professional, John Skelton earned his Honours B.A. from Trent University in Peterborough, Canada, and his Masters Degree from McMaster University in Hamilton. A strong proponent of lifelong learning through continuing education, John became CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) in 1999. John's life passion is writing, and through this bringing the Body of Knowledge and Best Practices of SCM to businesses and individuals alike.

Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management practitioners are famous for using acronyms. In an effort to demystify our language, Supply Chain Almanac has developed the following Glossary. It contains over 600 abbreviations that are relevant to those who work in and around the Supply Chain.
This is our Second Edition, new and revised with dozens of new acronyms add